Metalworking process and apparatus



L 1945- I V c. w. HAZELETT 2,403,514

METAL WORKING PROCESS AND APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1943 INVENTQR I an I BY W A-TTORNEY Patented Oct. 1, 1946 UNITED STATES PA ENT orrrce METALWO-RKING rnoonsslmn APPARATUS Clarence W. Haaelett, Greenwich, (John;

1943, Serial N0. 482,606

Application April '10,

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a metal workingprocess for the production of seamless tubing directly from molten metal, The invention relates'further to one form of apparatus that may be used for the carrying out .of the process. tion relates further to modifications, both in the process and in the apparatus, for'the production of round bars and bi-metallic seamless tubing.

At the present time, seamless tubing is manufactured commercially'by several processes, all of which are relatively expensivefor a number of reasons well understood by those skilled in the art. Seamless bi-metallic tubing is extremely expensivedespite the many efforts that have been made to reduce the cost of manufacturing such tubing.

As I have already indicated the object of my invention is the forming ofseamleSs tubing directly from the molten metal, an object that those skilled in the art will undoubtedly appreciate has been frequently attempted but without success. The process and apparatus to be describedhere inafter have actually been used by me for the manufacture of seamless tubing and-have been found extremely successful. In describing my process and apparatus I shall ,of course outline certain theories of operation that I now believe to be true fromthose studies I have made of my processrand apparatus However, I do not wish the, patent claims to be granted me to be limited by the. theories. 1 shall set forth since those theories may prove notto be entirely correct or complete.v It will be well also to consider that the apparatus that I shall outline hereinafter is merely exemplary of one form of meanswhe-reby my process. may be successfully carried on, and that other arrangements of apparatus may be successfully used'followirrg my teachingsto the .art. It will be well to remember also, that while I shall describe a process in which severalsteps are .used, sub-combinations of the process, omitting certain steps, may yield excellent results, and I shall include in this application claims covering such.sub.combinations.

,As an important feature of my invention whereby I obtain seamless tubing direetly' fr'om molten metal, the metal is poured on to a rotating mold in such a manner as to be'carried away by the mold,-the metal solidifying on the mold as it is being carried away. It is a further preferred feature of my invention that the metal poured onto the mold rotates'with the mold by means that may be provided for the particular purpose.

As a still further feature of my invention, the

metal deposited on the mold is moved endwise':

My invenfa ctors'.

. .2 I. relatively to the pouring plane of the metal. Preferably this endw-ise movement takes place at the sametime that the. .metal is rotating with the-mold, andpreferablyeifects movement of the metal relatively to the rotating mold; It is obvious that the endwise and rotary movement of the metal will result in the solidifying metal being in the form of a helix. V

It is a further feature of my invention that the convolutions of the helix, or the helical ribbon of metal that is deposited on the mold,:are welded .to a one another. It: is a particular feature of this portion of m i-nven-tion that this Welding takes place through theoverlapping -of the successive convolutions of the helical ribbon .of -metal,and with the last pouredmetal'welding to the immediately preceding convolution deposited-on the rotating "mold because-the last poured metal and the preceding convolution are in a condition to permit welding. Under another theoryofmy invention, the several convolutions may be juxtaposed and be welded through-arching of the -c9nVe1-utlons into welded relation. Inthe'prevferredform of my invention, however, theseveral convolutions are overlapped and are rolled into welded-relation.

In this preferred form of pay invention, this rolling action takes place just after the metal is poured onto the rotating-mold, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that the-rolling may points depending on the cooling conditions, the metal, and other variable Those skilled in the artfwi-ll'readily appreciate also-after a full study of the specification and drawings of this application, that my invention need not necessarily be, carried on in the exact manner which I now consider the preferred form, and that variations thereof within the scope of myteachings to the prior art will readily occur to those skilled in the art,

As a further feature of my invention, I prefer to roll the metal tubing-additionally, at a point beyond its initial formation through welding of the. convolutions thereof, and this additional rolling is useful. in disposing of the surplus metal that may be: deposited onthe inner surface of the -tubing =and in the smoothing thereof.

As a further feature of my invention I am able to form abi-rmetallic tubing through the utilization of the firstformed-tubing as the mold for a second --formed inner tubing. Somewhat similarly, my invention is applicable .to the forming -of asolid-bar of metal through the pouring of metal into the seamless tubing that is formed by the utilization of the apparatus and process of mv invention.

I have thus described generally the main features of my invention and my contribution to the prior art n order that e breadth of my invent on a d its relatio to the rior art may bet ter be ap reciated. The eneral description presen ed will also hel in an a preciation of the particular steps of the process to be outlined herei af er. and to the understanding o a preferred form of the apparatus that I shall here-'- inaf er disclose for carrying on my process. Naturally. as I have already suggested. the nature of my invention is such that it should not be limited by the particular apparatus I shall describe. the particular seouence of the steps th t I shall set fo th. nor the theory of operation of the process. since varia ions of the process steps. t e theory of o eration. and the apparatus itself will readily occur to those to whom the disclosure of my i vention is presented.

Re erring now to the drawings. Fi 1 is a vertical d a rammatic section of a machine used by me for carrying out the process of my invention. Fi 2 is a section of a modified form of the machine of Fi 1 used for forming solid round bars. Fi 3 is an end view of the machine shown in Fi 1. Fig. 4 is a modified form of the invention of Fi s. 1 and. 2 illustrating the manner in which my i vention may be utilized to form a bi-metallic bar. Fig. 5 is a section through a portion of a tu e formed by my invention and illustrating in exag erated form the manner in which the convolutions of the helical ribbon of metal are used to form a finished tube.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings. the rotating mold. of mv invention is desi nated by reference numeral l0, and is formed with an inner surface I I that mav be tapered outwardly as is clearly evident from Fig. 1. That portion of the inner surface designated by reference nu.- meral Ila, is used to determine the outside diameter of the tubing to be formed. the tapering of the surface I I being adapted. as will hereinafter appear more clearly, to allow for a ready withdrawal of the finished tubing from the mold Ill. The mold I is adapted to be driven by what I term a driving roll I3 secured to a shaft I4 and driven by a gear l through a pinion IS. The pinion l 6 may be on the shaft of a variable speed motor and is used to drive the roll I 3 and thereby impart rotation to the mold 18 as will readily be apparent. The shaft 14 is well supported by ball bearings l1 through a substantial standard !8 and is thus held in suitable operating relation to the mold Hi.

Cooperating with the driving roll I3 are a pair of backing rolls 20 shown in Fig. 3, and probably best illustrated in Fig. 1. Each roll 20 is supported by a bearing 2! relatively to an eccentric sleeve 22 mounted on a shaft 23, and each of the shafts 23 is held in fixed relation by a stud 24 relatively to a standard 25. Each of the eccentric sleeves 22 is formed with an arm 25 whereby it may be rotated relatively to the shaft 23 to move the roller 25 mounted thereon toward and away from the mold ID. In this way. an ad- 'justment of the rollers 20 is readily obtained.

be placed a thrust washer 3|. A second thrust washer 32 is applied between the rollers l3 and 20 and a drive ring 33 that is in threaded assembled relation to the mold member ID. The threaded drive ring 33 is equipped with a series of resilient drive fingers 34 that are adapted to engage and rotate What I term bait, and thereafter the tubing that is formed in the mold member Hi, all as will be hereinafter set forth in more detail.

For cooling. the tubing, I illustrate cooling pipes 35 in Fig. 1, these being merely diagrammatically shown. Naturally, other cooling sources may be providedand may be located as may be required, depending upon the quality of tubing manufactured, the material utilized and other variable and controlling factors.

The metal that is poured onto the surface H of mold member ID for the forming of tubing, is supplied from a ladle 40 and through its pouring spout 4| into an adjustable metal pourer 42. The pourer 42 is readily adjustable through means designated generally by numeral 43, so that the quantity of metal M flowing onto the mold surface II, and that part of the surface H on which it is deposited may be determined, all as illustrated in Fig. 1.

For rolling the surface of the tubing that is formed in the mold l0 by the metal M, I use a roller 45 mounted on a standard 46 through the intermediary of ball bearings 41. The roller 45 is hollow and houses therein a pipe 48 through which a coolant may be fed to the roller 45. In the particular relationship of the parts illustrated, the roller 45 is adapted to contact the metal M poured onto the mold I!) just after that metal is actually deposited on the mold I0, it being understood that preferably the speed of rotation of the mold I0 is such that the metal will adhere to it by centrifugal force and be moved toward roller 45. It will of course be appreciated that under certain conditions the metal will adhere to mold Ill sufiiciently merely through cooling, whereby to be carried by that mold into f coaction with the roller 45.

As was set forth generally in the earlier part ofthe specification, it is a preferred feature of my invention that the solidifying metal deposited on th mold- [0 be moved endwise relatively to the mold l0 and the point where the metal is deposited onto the surface II. It is preferred also that this endwise movement take place as the metal is rotated with the mold H].-

For rotating the metal with the mold II], the resilient drive fingers 34 are utilized, those fingers, it bein remembered, being secured to the driving ring 33. For moving the tubing endwise, I utilize a friction screw member 50 mounted on the right hand end 2311 of thesame shaft 23 on which is mounted the backing roll 20 illustrated in Fig. 1. The pressure of th friction screw roller 50 against the tubing may be regulated by an eccentric sleeve 51 that functions in exactly the same manner as do the eccentric sleeves 22 already described in considerable detail. Mounted about the shaft I4 through a bushing sleeve 52 is a further backing roll 53, the func tion of which will be quite apparent to those skilled in the art.

For starting the endwise and rotary movement of the poured metal I utilize what I term bait. This bait is in the form of a sleeve 54 that is formed at its extreme left end with a very thin section 55 pierced for a series of holes 56 into which the metal M will'enter. The holes 56 apparent. The

carry with "it serve to bondthe "metal firml to the bait :a'siis bait 514 will of course -'be :moved 'endwisein the direct-ion f the arrow 5'! by the screw ,friction roller 50 or by othermeans, 'while rotated 'by'the resilient drive fingers'3'4, and will the solidifying meta-l tube. It is obvious that the rotary and 'endwise movement imparted to the metal deposited onthem old M will cause the metal to assume the form or a N Naturally, the several helical ribbon of metal. I convolutions of this helical'ribbon of metal may be .made to overlap somewhat "by an -adjustment of "the, pouring rate relatively to the speed of rotation of the mold l and the end-wise move- I ment of the solidifyingmetal. The roller '45 will roll the ,convo'luti'ons to form a consolidated tubing with the 'convolut-ions preferably disappearing into one another andwelding toone another. This welding will take place because the last poured metal coming in contact with the roller 45;aswell-as at least the immediately preceding convolution of the helical metal ribbon, ar in a Stateto permit welding ofthe two. My process has actually been carried on successfullyto make tubing of six inches outside diameter and with a wall thickness ranging from .1-25 to .5 inch. In makingthi-s tubing I have rotated the mold H! at a speed of 130 R. P. M. andjhave moved the "solidifying metal endwi'se at the rate 6-18 inchesper minute. 7

Under some conditions, the several convolutions of the helical metalribbon maybe poured so as to lie merely juxtaposed. In such an event, the roller 45 will be relied upon to roll the-convolutions of the helical metal ribbon into welded relation to "form a consolidated metal tube.

The several welded convolutions formed by roller 45 will of coursepresent a smooth exterior surface as is required. The inner surface formed by the metal forced upwardly by surface 45a of roller 45 will bev relatively rough. It is generally necessary to provide a supplemental roller for acting on the inner surface, although in many cases a, surface such as is normally formed will be quite adequate. A supplemental roller ,for rolling a smooth inner surface when desired is designated by referencenumeral. 60in Fig. 1 and is equipped with apipe 6| carrying coolantthere-' to. This roller '60 may belocated at any desired point. in the tubing .and may assume .any shape found suitable. I

In -Fig. 3 the manner in which the rollers 45 and 60 are mounted is rather clearly set forth. There it Will be noted that the bracket 46 on which the roller 45 is mounted, is pivoted at 62 on a main support 63. The main support, 63 has an .arm 64 on which is mounted a 'guid'e'rodf65, and the bracket 46 is formed with a disc like portion 66 pierced at 61 for passage of the g'uide rod 65. A spring 58 bears against portion 66 of the bracket 46, this spring being mountedia-bout the guide. rod .65 and adapted to have its pressure adjusted by a nut 69 in threaded engagement with a threaded, end of'ro'd 65. His obvious that through the adjustment of the pressure-0f spring 68, the pressure of the roller 45 against-the poured metal maybe determined. Through a somewhat similar but independent arrangement, the pressure of a spring "5811 against a bracket 46a-on which the roller 60- is supported, may also'be adjusted. Thus, the pressure of the roller 60 "may be independently determined. It will be obvious to those-skilled int he art't-hat my showing of this structure is purely diagrammatic and that many other mechanical 'stru'ctunes-for driving the mold t0 :androlls-45 and 80, as w'ell as moving the' baitianditubing, will readily occur o those skilled intthe'art. o fInilFig. l2 ,:I il1ustrate aimodification using cer tain parts o'f'. Fi'g=.-.1' in a manner to yield asolid round :bar. In 2 'the mold isdesignated by reference numeral I 0a and is adapted "to receive metal through a pouring spout '42a adapted for adjustmentisirnilarlyto spout 42 of Fig. 1. The mold a isshown vertically positioned :in Fig. 2 butimay assumean ngularzor more nearly horizo'rital position. .A roller W5ccooperates with the metal moving from the pourin spout 42a in substantiallythe same manner as in Fig. 1-. Because a solid' ba-r 'isto be formed, the beveled portion d of roiler-45o maybe relatively large and: in the fo'rm shown it ro'lls a considerable portion of the metal bar and contributes the smooth outer surface required.- Sufficient additional metal is poured to consolidate with the rolled 'metalto form the section B'o'f a solids-bar of metal. The bait in Fig. 2 is designatedby reference numeral 54a and is similar in its actionto bait'54 of Fig. 1 except that it may have a solid end where the pouring i'sver'tical orsub'stantia'lly so. Coolant is supplied by a device 'H all in a manner which will be understand now by those skilled in the art. In common with'the modification of Fig. '1 the mold l fla may be tapered so as to make it possible to more readily separate the cylindrical product from the mold as the said productis rotated'with the mold'and is moved endwi'se relati vel y to the mold. :It is rather obvious that the invention of'this modification yields a solid cylindrical bar of'metal having preferably a rolled outer surface contributed by the action of the surface 45d of roller 45c, and that even a larger part of said bar may be rolled by making the roller 450 of relatively larger diameter.

In 4 I illustrate a vertical section of a further modification of my invention in which the moldis' indicated by reference numeral 10b, 3, primary metal spout by reference numeral 42b and a p-rima-ry roller by reference numeral 45b. Coolant is supplied by a'device 3.5a whose action is apparent. The parts 'l'O'b, 42b and 45b cooperate as do the parts I0, 42 and 45 of the modification of Fig. 1. This cooperation yields a tube T that is moved endwise as it is rotated relatively to the mold 10b just as in the earlier modification. The tube "1" as formed by the roller 45 b, serves as the outer portion of a bi-metallic bar, the core of which is formed by the pouring of additional metal into thetube T by a second spout Inc. The roll'er- 45b is adapted to roll a part of the additional metal issuing from the pouringspout lll'c 'so that the-said metal is welded to the 'out'er'tube T along the general line W shown Fig. 4. Where the metal issuing from so the spout Hicjo'f this modification of my invention is a, metal. different from the metal issuing from the spout 4212, a 'bi-metallic bar is formed.

By referring back now to Fig. 1, I shall describe a still further modification of my invention whereby I make b i-metallic tubing through employing the basic process and apparatus of myinvention. InFig. 1 'I show in phantom lines .an additional spout '15 adapted to flow a metal dissimilar fromjthat furnished through spout 42. '7'0This dissimilarmetal flows on the interior surfac of the exterior tube formed on mold Ill by roller 45 at a point when the-metal of the exterior tube is in a condition tohave "welded thereto theadditional and dissimilarmeta'l' fromspout 75. Theadditional metal will form aninternal tube through the pressure of a roller 45f similar to the roller 45 used in forming the outer tube and this inner tube will of course be welded to the outer tube. For the sake of clarity in the drawings, both spout 15 and roller 45 are shown displaced to the right more than would actually be the case under operating conditions.

InFig. I illustrate in exaggerated form one example of the manner in which the several convolutions of a helical ribbon of metal are used by my process to form a consolidated metal tube. Fig. 5 illustrates well the action of roller 45 and its surface 45a in rolling the metal, the angular lines formed at '11 by the shading representing the welded junctions of the helical ribbon convolutions in a typical tube. The normal irregular inner surface that is formed is well shown also. 1

I believe that the basis of my invention and the several difierent conditions under which it may be employed, will now be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

I therefore now claim:

1. A process for forming tubing directly from molten metal that comprises pouring a ribbon of metal directly on a rotating mold member, effecting the solidifying of said metal on said mold member as said mold member rotates, drawing said metal endwise relatively to said mold member while said metal rotates with said mold member, whereby the said metal is in the form of a helical metal ribbon, determining the rotation and endwise movement of the metal at such a rate relatively to the rate of pouring of the metal that the successive convolutions of the helical ribbon of metal deposited on said mold member are at least juxtaposed, and the last convolution is in such a state that the metal last poured on said mold member may be welded to said last convolution, and applying the pressure of a rolling surface radially of said mold member to weld said metal to the last convolution while also applying the pressure of a tapered rolling surface ax ally of said mold member against the surplus metal flowing lengthwise and from under said first rolling surface onto the last convolution.

2. A process for forming tubing directly from molten metal that comprises pouring a ribbon of metal on a rotating mold member, effecting the solidifying of said metal on said mold member as said mold member rotates, drawing said metal endwise relatively to said mold member while said metal rotates with said mold member whereby the said metal is in the form of a helical metal ribbon, and determining the rotation and endwise movement of the metal at such a rate relatively to the rate of pouring of the metal that the successive convolutions of the helical ribbon of metal deposited on said mold member overlap, and the last poured metal convolution is applied to said mold member while at least the immediately juxtaposedconvolution. is in such a state that the last poured metal convolution will weld to the said immediately juxtaposed convolution, and applying rolling pressure to said poured ribbon of metal after it is deposited on said mold member and while it is still molten, and with the final rolling pressure so applied being both radial and axial relatively to. said mold whereby the said pressure consolidates and welds to one another the successive convolutions of the helical metal ribbon to form a tube.

3. Those steps in the process of forming tubing directly from molten metal that comprise pouring metal on the inner surface of a rotating mold,

applying rolling pressure to said metal radially of said mold just after it is deposited on said surface whereby to consolidate and solidify said metal while permitting the metal to flow axially of said mold away from the zone of radial pressure application, applying axial pressure to said flowing metal as it leaves the zone of radial pressure application whereby to weld'said metal to the previously deposited metal, and rotating said metal at the speed of rotation of said moldand moving it endwise relatively to said mold.

4. A process for forming tubing directly from molten metal that comprises pouring molten metal on a revolving mold surface, withdrawing the metal deposited on said mold surface in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said revolving mold surface while said solidifying metal rotates with said mold surface, applying rolling pressure to said solidifying metal whereby to form a consolidated tube, and later flowing additional metal on the inside surface of the said tube while th metal of said tube is in said mold and in a state to permit welding thereto of the additioning metal.

5. A process for forming tubing directly from molten metal that comprises pouring molten metal on a revolving mold surface, subjecting the metal coming in contact with said mold surface and before it has entirely solidified, to pressure by a rolling surface directed toward said mold surface, withdrawing the solidifying metal deposited on said mold surface in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said revolving mold surface while said solidifying metal rotates withsaid mold surface, adjusting the speed of rotation of said revolving mold relatively to the pouring rate of said metal and the extent of said withdrawal movement so that the metal ribbons deposited on said mold surface during successive revolutions will bewelded to one another by the rolling action of said rolling sur- .face, and flowing additional metal on the inside surface of the resulting rotating tube of metal while said tube is in a state to permit welding thereto of said additional metal, and rolling said additional metal against the said inside surface to weld said additionalmetal thereto. 6. A process for forming tubing directly from molten metal that comprises pouring a thin film of molten metal on the surface of a revolving mold, subjecting said film of metal while solidifying to pressure by means of a surface roll to form a tube, and pouring additional molten metal on the resulting metal tube and subjecting the additional metal to rolling pressure quickly enough so that the additional metal is welded to the first formed tube.

7. A process for forming solid cylindrical bars directly from molten metal that comprises pouring molten metal on a revolving mold surface to form a tube, rotating and moving the said tube endwise of said mold surface, and flowing additional metal into the rotating tube to fill said tube while said tube is in a state to permit welding thereto of said additional metal to form therewith a solid cylindrical bar.

8. In a-machine of the class described, a rotating mold, means for pouring metal on the surface of said mold, means for rotatin said mold and the metal solidifying on said surface, means for moving said solidifying metal endwise of said mold as it rotates with saidmold whereby said solidifying metal is formed on said mold as a helical metal ribbon a roller having a cylindrical pressure surface positioned, force-action with awe-sit said moldi'n that "zone where the pouredmetal is plastic for applying pressure to said solidifying metal directed radially towards the surfac'eof said mold, and said roller having its end surface tapered inwardly in the direction of movement of said helical metal ribbon whereby to apply a pressure component to said metal ribbon airially of said mold in the direction of movement of the metal ribbon 't'o'that metal that flows from under the said "cy'lindrlcal surface.

' 9."In ,a machine of the class described, a rotating annular mold, means for pouringmetal on the surface of said mold-,ineansfor rotating said mold and the metal solidifying on said surf-ace,

,means for moving said solidifying metal "endwise 'ofsaidmold as it rotates with said mold whereby said solidifying metal is formed on said meld-as a helical metal ribbon, and a roller having all'llfi surface tapered inwardly away from said mold for applying rolling pressure radially and angularlyto the successive convolutions of said helical metal ribbon just after the metal is deposited on said mold whereby to weld the successive convolutions to one another.

10. In a machine of the class described, arot'ating ring-like mold member, means for pouring metal on the inner surface of said rotating mold member as it rotates whereby the metal deposited on said mold member will be rotated with said mold member as it solidifies on said mold member, means for moving the metal endwise as it rotates with said old member whereby said metal will assume the form of a helical ribbon of metal, rolling means having surfaces shaped for applying final rolling pressure both axially and radially to the convolutions of said helical ribbon just after the metal is poured on said inner surface, and means mounting said rolling means opposite that portion of the inner surface of the rotating mold where the metal is not solidified and is adapted for solidification and welding to the previously deposited meta1 under the influence of said rolling surfaces.

11. In a machine of the class described, a rotating annular mold, means for pouring metal on the inner surface of said mold, means for rotating said mold and the metal solidifying on said surface, means for moving said solidifying metal endwise of said mold as it rotates with said mold whereby said solidifying metal is formed on said mold as a helical meta1 ribbon, means for pouring an inner ribbon of metal on the inside surface of said first ribbon of metal, and means for applying rolling pressure to said inner ribbon to weld its convolutions to one another I and to said first ribbon of metal.

12. In a machine of the class described, a rotating annular mold, means for pouring metal on the inner surface of said mold, means for rotating said mold and the metal solidifying on said surface, means for moving said solidifying metal endwise of said mold as it rotates with said mold whereby said solidifying metal is formed on said mold as a helical metal ribbon, means for applying pressure to the convolutions of said helical metal ribbon whereby to weld said convolutions to one another to form a metal tube, means for pouring in like manner an inner ribbon of metal on the inside surface of said tube, and means for applying rolling pressure to said inner ribbon of metal, to weld its convolutions to one another and to said tube.

13. In a machine of the class described, a rotating mold, means for pouring metal on the surface of said mold, means for rotating said mold and the metal solidifying on said surface, means for moving said solidifying metal endwise of said mold as it rotates with said mold, a roller having apr'essure surface for applying radial pressure to said solidifying meta1 directed towards the surface of said mold, yielding means ,pr'essin'g said roller toward the said surface of the rotating mold, said'pressure surface terminating in a tapered end surface .for transmitting rolling pressure to said'metal axially of said mold in the direction'of movement of the solidifying metal, and means mounting said roller within said moldwith its rolling surfaces positioned where said metal is an a plastic condition on the surface of said mold,

'14. In a machine 'of the class described, arotating annular mold, means for pouring metal on thesur'face of said mold, means for rotating said mold and the metal solidifying on said surface, means for moving said solidifying metal endwise of said mold as it rotates with said mold whereby said solidifying metal is formed on said mold as a helical meta1 ribbon, a roller for rolling said solidifying metal and terminating in :an end pressure surface tapered inwardly axially thereof in the direction of movement of said solidifying metal, and means mounting said roller for rotation with its end surface in that zone of the mold where themetal poured on the mold surface remains plastic whereby said roller applies a pressure component against said solidifying metal directed radially toward the surface of the mold and a pressure component in the direction of movement of said solidifying metal, and with said end surface rolling the metal flowing endwise from under the pressure roller.

15. A process for forming tubing directly from molten, metal, that comprises pouring a ribbon of metal on the surface of a rotating mold member, subjecting the metal coming in contact with said surface and while it is plastic, to pressure first by a rolling surface directed radially toward said mold member and finally to pressure by a second rolling surface directed at least partially axially of said mold member, and with said radially directed rolling surface forcing the metal against the mold surface while the surplus metal flowing axially from under the end of said radially directed rolling surface is finally pressed by said second rolling surface axially against metal that has just moved from under said radially directed rolling surface.

16. A process for forming tubing directly from molten metal, that comprises pouring a ribbon of metal on the surface of a rotating mold member, subjecting the metal coming in contact with said surface and while it is plastic, to yielding pressure by a first rolling surface directed radially toward said mold member and finally by a second rolling surface directed both axially and radially toward said mold member, and with said radially directed rolling surface forcing the metal against the mold surface while the surplus metal flowing axially from under said radially directed rollin surface is pressed by said second rolling surface axially against metal that has just moved from under said first rolling surface.

17. In a machine of the class described, a rotating annular mold, means for pouring metal on the inner surface of said rotating mold as said mold rotates whereby the metal deposited on said mold will be rotated with said mold as it solidifies on said mold, a roller having a surface substan tially parallel to the inner surface of the mold, means mounting said roller for applying rolling pressure to said metal directed against the surface of said mold just after said metal is deposited onto said inner surface, said roller terminating in a tapered surface just beyond the point where said metal is deposited onto said mold whereby to allow the flow of surplus plastic metal angularly inwardly of said mold and under said tapered roller surface, said tapered roller surface pressing the surplus plastic metal angularly while rolling it axially against-the metal previously deposited on said mold, and means for moving the metal endwise of said mold as said metal rotates with said mold.

18. In a machine of the class described, a rotating annular mold, means for pouring metal on the inner surface of said rotating mold as said mold rotates whereby the metal deposited on said mold will be rotated with said mold as it solidifies on said mold, a roller having a surface substantially parallel to the inner surface of the mold, means mounting said roller for applying rolling pressure to said metal directed against the surface of said mold just after said metal is deposited onto said inner surface, means yieldingly pressing said roller on its mounting means radially of said mold, said roller terminating in a tapered surface just beyond the point where said metal is deposited onto said mold whereby to allow the flow of surplus plastic metal angularly inwardly of said mold and under said tapered roller surface, said tapered roller surface pressing the surplus plastic metal angularly while rolling it axially against the metal previously deposited on said mold, and means for moving the metal endwise of said mold as said metal rotates with said mold.

19. In a machine of the class described, a rotating annular mold, means for pouring metal on the inner surface of said rotating mold as said mold rotates whereby the metal deposited on said mold will be rotated with said mold as it solidifies on said mold, roller surfaces for applying rolling pressure to said metal, one of said surfaces being substantially parallel to the inner surface of the mold whereby its pressure is directed radially toward the surface of said mold, said roller surface being positioned in said mold to contact said metal just after said metal is deposited onto said inner surface, the other of said roller surfaces tapering inwardly radially of said mold and positioned inwardly beyond said first roller surface, whereby said tapered surface presses the surplus metal flowing from under said first roller surface angularly and axially while rolling it against the metal previously deposited on said mold, and means for moving the metal endwise of said mold as said metal rotates with said mold.

CLARENCE W. HAZELETT. 

